convincing. Because of this some have argued that the IPCC should not become
engaged in analysis in these social science areas. The IPCC has consistently
refused to accept that argument, believing that a great deal of useful technical
supporting work needs to be done in providing analyses of some of the economic
or political options which might be taken up in response to the impact of climate
change. Further, it is a great advantage if this work is pursued outside
government agencies or other political institutions. Such analyses are essential
input for international negotiations regarding the options and essential preparation
for decision making.
7 The 1992, 1994 and 1995 IPCC Reports
As soon as the 1990 Report was complete, the IPCC began work on further
reports. In 1992, in time for the Earth Summit, a report was produced updating
what was known about greenhouse gases, their sources and sinks, and about
observations and modelling of climate change. In addition, the 1992 report
developed various emission scenarios for greenhouse gases for the 21st century
based on a variety of assumptions regarding factors such as world population,
economic growth, availability of fossil fuels, etc.
The year 1994 saw the production of another report updating the area of
radiative forcing. Of particular importance was the new work carried out on the
profiles of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which would
lead to the stabilization of these gases in the atmosphere at different levels of
concentration.
By 1995 when the IPCC produced its second comprehensive assessment, five
years after the first assessment in 1990, the community of scientists involved with
the IPCC had become substantially greater. More scientists from more countries
were involved both in the report’s preparation (about 480 scientists from more
than 25 countries) and in its review (over 500 from 40 countries). The participants
at the Plenary Meeting of Working Group I that approved the Summary for
Policymakers included 177 delegates from 96 countries, representatives from 14
non-governmental organizations and 28 Lead Authors.
Regarding climate change during the 21st century and its likely impacts, the
messages of the 1995 report were essentially the same as those of the 1990 report.
Some further detail had emerged during the five years in between, especially
regarding the likely contribution to climate change from atmospheric aerosol —
the small dust particles that are present in the atmosphere as a result of industrial
activity. Also, there was more confidence amongst scientists that observed
Climate Change 1992: the Supplementary Report to the IPCC Assessment, eds. J. T. Houghton, B. A.
Callander and S. K. Varney, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Climate Change 1994: Radiative Forcing of Climate Change and an Evaluation of the IPCC IS92
Scenarios, eds. J. T. Houghton, L. G. Meira Filho, J. Bruce, Hoesung Lee, B. A. Callander, E. Haites,
N. Harris and K. Maskell, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Climate Change 1995: the Science of Climate Change, eds. J. T. Houghton, L. G. Meira Filho, N.
Harris, A. Kattenberg and K. Maskell, Cambridge University Press, 1996; Climate Change 1995:
Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change, eds. R. T. Watson, M. C. Zinowera and R. H.
Moss, Cambridge University Press, 1996; Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of
Climate Change, eds. J. Bruce, Hoesung Lee and E. Haites, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
An Overview of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
7
engaged in analysis in these social science areas. The IPCC has consistently
refused to accept that argument, believing that a great deal of useful technical
supporting work needs to be done in providing analyses of some of the economic
or political options which might be taken up in response to the impact of climate
change. Further, it is a great advantage if this work is pursued outside
government agencies or other political institutions. Such analyses are essential
input for international negotiations regarding the options and essential preparation
for decision making.
7 The 1992, 1994 and 1995 IPCC Reports
As soon as the 1990 Report was complete, the IPCC began work on further
reports. In 1992, in time for the Earth Summit, a report was produced updating
what was known about greenhouse gases, their sources and sinks, and about
observations and modelling of climate change. In addition, the 1992 report
developed various emission scenarios for greenhouse gases for the 21st century
based on a variety of assumptions regarding factors such as world population,
economic growth, availability of fossil fuels, etc.
The year 1994 saw the production of another report updating the area of
radiative forcing. Of particular importance was the new work carried out on the
profiles of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which would
lead to the stabilization of these gases in the atmosphere at different levels of
concentration.
By 1995 when the IPCC produced its second comprehensive assessment, five
years after the first assessment in 1990, the community of scientists involved with
the IPCC had become substantially greater. More scientists from more countries
were involved both in the report’s preparation (about 480 scientists from more
than 25 countries) and in its review (over 500 from 40 countries). The participants
at the Plenary Meeting of Working Group I that approved the Summary for
Policymakers included 177 delegates from 96 countries, representatives from 14
non-governmental organizations and 28 Lead Authors.
Regarding climate change during the 21st century and its likely impacts, the
messages of the 1995 report were essentially the same as those of the 1990 report.
Some further detail had emerged during the five years in between, especially
regarding the likely contribution to climate change from atmospheric aerosol —
the small dust particles that are present in the atmosphere as a result of industrial
activity. Also, there was more confidence amongst scientists that observed
Climate Change 1992: the Supplementary Report to the IPCC Assessment, eds. J. T. Houghton, B. A.
Callander and S. K. Varney, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Climate Change 1994: Radiative Forcing of Climate Change and an Evaluation of the IPCC IS92
Scenarios, eds. J. T. Houghton, L. G. Meira Filho, J. Bruce, Hoesung Lee, B. A. Callander, E. Haites,
N. Harris and K. Maskell, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
Climate Change 1995: the Science of Climate Change, eds. J. T. Houghton, L. G. Meira Filho, N.
Harris, A. Kattenberg and K. Maskell, Cambridge University Press, 1996; Climate Change 1995:
Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change, eds. R. T. Watson, M. C. Zinowera and R. H.
Moss, Cambridge University Press, 1996; Climate Change 1995: Economic and Social Dimensions of
Climate Change, eds. J. Bruce, Hoesung Lee and E. Haites, Cambridge University Press, 1996.
An Overview of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
7